Mavericks-Spurs Preview

Dallas Maverickscoach Rick Carlisle calls a play against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey)

Lance Murphey

April 19, 2014

While defending champion Golden State has received all the attention during its historic start, San Antonio has been quietly closing in on the NBA's best record.

The Spurs have already matched their best 41-game start by becoming the first team in league history with a 10-game winning streak in six straight seasons.

Now they'll try to extend the Western Conference's longest run at home to begin a season in 38 years Sunday night against the rival Dallas Mavericks, who came close to knocking them off at AT&T Center in November.

The Warriors set an NBA record with a 24-0 start, and their 37-3 mark entering the weekend matched Chicago after 40 games in 1995-96 when it went on to a record 72 wins.

At the same time, San Antonio (35-6) has managed to pull close to Golden State while matching its 2010-11 team for the best mark in franchise history after 41 contests.

"We're just going to focus on us and see where we can improve," veteran point guard Tony Parker said. "If we catch (the Warriors), good. If we don't catch them, it's OK."

The Spurs have won a team-record 32 straight at home since last season. Their 23-0 start there is the second-best by a West team behind Portland's 26-0 in 1977-78.

Parker led the way Thursday as San Antonio avenged its last regular-season home loss with a 99-95 win over Cleveland. He finished with 24 points and managed to slow Kyrie Irving, who shot 6 for 17 after scoring 57 in a double-overtime win at AT&T in March.

Kawhi Leonard chipped in 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the Spurs' 10th consecutive victory. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year also helped them force 17 turnovers and hold the Cavaliers to 9-of-23 shooting in the fourth quarter.

"Our defense is great and I feel like offensively, we're moving in the right direction," Parker said. "It's one of the best records in (our) history, so hopefully we can keep it going."

The Spurs, allowing an NBA-low 89.8 points per game, are winning at home by an average of 15.6 but have won their last two there by a total of five. Dallas could pose a challenge since it's one of just four teams to lose by five or less in San Antonio.

The Mavs trailed by one there Nov. 25 before Leonard hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to key an 88-83 win that was the Spurs' 10th straight at home in the series. Dallas, though, did win at AT&T Center during a 2014 first-round playoff series.

"It was right there," forward Dirk Nowitzki said of the November meeting. "We had a couple of shots to take the lead or tie it at the end. It was a tough one."

Nowitzki scored 21 and Deron Williams had 18 while hitting 4 of 5 from 3-point range in Friday's 83-77 win at Chicago that ended a two-game skid. Nowitzki has struggled with 12.0 points per game on 38.3 percent shooting in his last four against the Spurs.

The Mavs (23-18) seek their fourth win in six road contests over a seven-game span. They held the Bulls to a season-low point total on 36.0 percent shooting and have held foes to an average of 92.3 points in regulation over their last six games.

Dallas has dropped 16 of the past 20 meetings with San Antonio.

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